Furnace-grate.



rin. 637,108. Patented Nov. I4, |899. w. M. 4@mann a J. n. GENT.

FURNACE GBATE.

(Applicltion led July 16, 1898.)

(Nn Model.)

.NIMNI C w uw NNWWMH No. 637,108. Patented Nov. I4, |899. f

W. M. GREEN &. J. R. GENT.

FURNAUE GRATE.

(Application filed July 16, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

ma Nonms Pneus oo.. vuo'rauwu.. wAsmNnTon, o. c,

un. .637,ma. Patentd Nov. I4, |899.

' w'. n. GREEN a .1. n. GENT.

FUBNACE GRATE.

(Appliotion led July 1 6, 189B.) (No Ilndsl.) l 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

[Hl l' l Il PATENT OFFICE.

` WILLIAM M. GREEN AND JOHN R. GENT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FURNACE-GRATE.

sPEcIFIcATIoN forming part of'Letter's Patent'lvo. 637,108, dated November 14, 1899.

Y Application led my 16,1898. serai No. 686,171. (No man.)

To all wtont t Wma] concern:

Be it knownthat we, WILLIAM M. GREEN and JOHN R. GENT, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Furnace-Grates; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to furnaces of that kind having traveling or endless-belt grates, by which the fuel delivered at the feed-opening of the furnace is continuously fed forward or advancedwhile combustion is taking place.

A principal feature of our invention is embodied in a traveling grate of that class in which the endless belt forming the grate is a chain belt made or built up of a plurality of short longitudinally-arranged grate-bars, which constitute the links of the chain belt and are pivotally connected by transverse pivot-bars,which engage the overlapping ends of the said bars. Y f

The invention embraces also improvements in other features of furnaces, as will hereinafter appear.

The in vention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appended claims.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a sectional elevation showing a boiler-furnace in section, taken on a plane extending vertically from front to rear of the furnace and illustrating the grate and its supporting and actuating devices in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a view showing the parts of the grate supporting and actuating devices in front elevation, with the grate in sectional view. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the grate, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of one end of the grate, showing in side elevation one of the sprocketwheels, some of the grate-bars` which engage the same, and some of the intermediate bars. Fig. 5 is a detail section through the said bars, taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a plan View showing the bars which engage the sprocket-wheels. Fig. 7 is a detail side view Of one of the bars shown in Fig. 6. Fig. '7EL is thereof. Fig. 11 is a side View of one of the main grate-bars. Fig. l2 is an end view of the same.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating our invention, A A indicate the side walls of a boiler-furnace; B, the bridge-wall thereof or that at the rear of the furnace; O, a rearch extending over the front or outer part of the furnace, and D a front plate which forms the front of the furnace and is in contact with the front end of the fire-arch O.

The grate illustrated is mounted on a movable frame, which is mounted on wheels, and is adapted for insertion in the furnace or removal from the same. Said carriage in the instance illustrated is provided with a frame formed by means of two longitudinal side pieces E, end plates E E2, which are attached to the side pieces, and cross-girths E3, which connect with each otherthe longitudinal side pieces at opposite sides of the frame. The

` frame is shown as supported upon wheels c, arrangedtwo at each end of the frame and mounted in depending bearing-lugs e', formed on the end plates E E2. Mounted on said carriage at each end thereof are two horizontally-arranged sprocket-wheel shafts F F', which carry each a plurality of sprocketwheels F2 F3, on which the chain-grate is supported. Saidchain-grateintheinstanceillustrated consists of a plurality of relatively short grate-bars, which extend longitudinally of the grate and are pivotally connected with each other to form a chain or endless belt, said bars being herein called link-bars. The grate illustrated is formed by means of two kinds or sets of said link-bars, of which those marked G are adapted to engage the several sprocket-wheels F2 F3, while those marked H constitute the greater part of the bearingsurface of the grate and are located between those which engage the sprocket-wheels.A The several link-bars are pivotallyjoined or connected by means of pivot bars or rods I, which extend transversely of the link-bars, which latterare arranged side by side with their ends in overlapped relation, so that each bar IOO passes through the overlapping ends of the transverse series of link-bars on either side of the same. The pivot-rods pass through eyes g in the link-bars G, said eyes consisting each of a circular part, through'which the pivot-rod I passes, and a slot or opening g', which opens through the bottom edge of the link-bar into the aperture g and is made considerably narrower than the diameter of said aperture and through which the pivot-rod may pass in disconnecting the bars from the rod. Surrounding the said bearing-apertures g are hubs or flanges G', which meet or rest in contact with each other when the bars are placed together in overlapped relation.

In order to aord a better bearing engagement ofthe bars with the pivot-rods than would be obtained by direct contact of the pivot-rods with the eyes g, said eyes are made larger in diameter than the width of the rods and cylindric bearing-blocks g2 are employed, which bearing-blocks are slotted for the insertion of the pivot-rods and are adapted to turn freely in the eyes g. The said link-bars G are provided at their upper margins with flanges, which form relatively broad or fiat bearing-surfaces, upon which the fuel rests, and these flanges are arranged to extend toward each other on the overlapping ends of the link-bars, so that the vertical parts or Webs of said bars are located at a considerable distance apart and have a space between them of suicient width to receive the teeth of the sprocket-wheels F2 F3. The hubs G3 on said bars are made of such length as to meet midway between the webs of the bars, and said hubs together form the bearing-surfaces which enter between the teeth of the sprocket-wheels and are engaged by said teeth in the actuation of the chain. Each of the shafts F F will be provided with sprocketwheels suihcient to secure the uniform actuation of the grate through its entire width, the shafts in the accompanying drawings being provided with five of such sprocket-wheels and the grate having five sets of link-bars of the kind indicated by G. The pivot-rods I are shown as extending entirely across the grate; but it will be understood that inasmuch as the grate will have a number of sets of link-bars which are directly moved or actuated by the sprocket-wheels there will be comparatively little strain on the pivot-rods by reason of the lagging or pulling back of the palt-s of the belt, it being obvious that as far as the advance movement of the belt is concerned the pivot-rods will be called u pon to move those link-bars only which are located between those which engage the sprocketwheels, which latter will be herein designated for convenience as driving link-bars.

The link-bars H, which till the spaces between the driving link-bars G, are provided with apertures like those on said link-bars G, the same having main parts or eyes h of circular form and slots h, leading from the lower edges of the link-bars into said slots or eyes. In this instance said eyes h are made of the same diameter as the Width of the pivot-rod which engages the same, so that said pivot-rods will engage and turn in said eyes. Said eyes are also provided with `openings or slots 7L of proper width for the passage of the pivot-rod edgewise through them. The several link bars, including those marked both G and H, are adapted for engagement with the pivot-rods I when the latter are in a position to be presented sidewise or edgewise to the slots or openings g 7L', whereby the rods may be inserted into the bearing apertures or eyes of said linkbars, said pivot-rods being suiciently flattened or made so narrow in one direction as to admit their easy insertion through said slots. The pivot-bars can be inserted into the bearing-apertures g h only when turned into position to pass through the said slots, and said pivot-bars are held permanently in engagement with the link-bars by the holding of the pivot-rods in such angular posilLion as to prevent their withdrawal through the said slots or openings. Moreover, devices are provided for confining or holding the pivot-rods from rotation, so that when they have been engaged with the link-bars and partially rotated in the bearings thereof it becomes impossible to disconnect any of the link-bars from said pivot-bars without first releasing the pivot-bars and rotating them into position suitable for their passage through said slots. As shown in the accom- IOO holding the pivot-rods from rotation consistv of links J, which engage the pivot-bars at the outer ends of the same at the sides of the grate and which have non-rotative connection with the said pivot-bars, so that when applied to the ends of the same after the pivot-bars have been engaged with the linkbars said pivot-rods will be positively held from turning. In the particular instance illustrated the pivot-rods are made iiat and of uniform size throughout their entire length, and the links J are provided at each end with ohliquely-disposed slots made of the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the pivot-rods and adapted to be slipped over the ends of said pivot-rods after the latter are in proper position with respect to the link-bars. A simple means for locking or holding said links .I in place upon the bars and at the same time holding the bars from endwise movement is herein shown, the same consisting of cotter-pinsj, inserted through the ends of the pivot-rodswhich project outwardly beyond said links.

The several link-bars are provided at their upper edges with laterally-extending flanges, which form the supporting-surfaces for the fuel, and said anges are preferably notched at their side edges, as shown, to facilitate the passage of ashes through or between the linkbars. The said link-bars are, moreover, provided at either side with hubs or flanges H',

IIO

which rest in contact with each other and hold the link-bars at a suitable and uniform distance apart. n

In a traveling grate made as above described the link-bars H may be easily and quickly removed from the grate when it becomes necessary to renew the same, it being obvious that any bar may be disconnected from the two pivot-rods engaged thereby if the said pivot-rods be turned or rotated so as to bring their flat sides parallel with each otherit being of course necessary to disconnect the holding-links J froml said pivot-rods before the same can be turned or rotated in the manner described. If'therefore itbe desired to remove and replace one of the gratebars H, it is only necessary to first disconnect the two holdin g-lin ks from the pivot-rods which support` the link-bar that is to be removed and to then turn the two pivot-rods until their flat sides are parallel, after which the link-bar can be easily disconnected from the pivot-rods and a new one putin its place. After t-he new link-bar has been engaged with the pivot-rods the same are then turned into an oblique position with respect to each other and at such an angle as to engage the slots in the ends of the holding-links J, after which the latter are slipped over the ends of the pivot-rods and secured thereon by the Cotterpins.

It is of course practical to so construct the parts that the pivot-rods will immediately engage the eyes h of both bars G and H, and in such case any of the bars may be removed by merely releasing the pivot-rods engaged with the bar or bars to be removed and lifting the bar or bars from their places. When the bearing blocks or sleeves g2 are employed in connection with the driving link-bars, as in the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, the said sleeves will need to be slipped endwise along the pivot-rods until free from the bars which are to be removed before the latter can be disconnected from the pivot-rods. As the bars H are normally in position to prevent movement of the said sleeves endwise on the pivot-rods, it will be necessary to remove one or two of the bars H which are adjacent to the bars G preparatory to the shifting of the sleeves and the removal of the bars G. The sleeves g2 are of advantage when used in connection with the driving link-bars, because they serve to afford a pivotal con-- nection between the said bars adapted for transmitting the strain coming on said driving link-bars in the operation of the grate.

For the purpose of supporting or sustaining the horizontal parts or runs of the chain grate between the supporting and actuating sprocket-wheel the frame or carriage which support-s the grate is provided with a plurality of transverse horizontally arranged bearing-rollers K K', of which the rollers K are located beneath the upper part or run of the belt and those marked K/ are located beneath the lower part or run of the belt. The

mounted in sliding bearing-boxes F4, which engage suitable guides formed on the rear end plates E2 and are engaged by screw-shafts F5, which are inserted through the forward.

part of the said plates E5 and are engaged at their rear ends with said boxes. This construction enables the rearmost supportingshaft and its bearings t0 be easily adjusted for tightening the endless grate.

As an improved construction in the frame of the carriage which supports the grate the longitudinal side pieces E of said frame are made of wrought metal and of uniform crosssectonal shape from end to end, so that the same may be made by rolling, as in the case of an ordinary flanged beam or girder, while the end plates E' E2 are made of cast metal and are so shaped as to receive and support the bearings of the supporting-shafts and bearings for the supportingwheels of the carriage. This construction of the carriageframe is of great advantage, as it enables carriages of various lengths to be made by the use of the same end plates, while side pieces of proper length may be cheaply constructed by cutting pieces of proper length from rolled channel bars or beams of suitable cross-sectional shape. The said end plates are cast in proper shape to fit against the end portions of the side plat-es in overlapped relation and are secured to the said side plates by bolts or rivets, thus giving a cheap and simple construction of ample strength for the purpose.

For driving the chain belt which forms the grate devices are provided as follows: Upon one end of the shaft F is mounted a spurwheel L, which spur-wheel intermeshes with a gear-pinion L', attached to ashort countershaft L2, which is mounted on the carriageframe adjacent to the front end 0f the same. The counter-shaft L carries a worm-wheel L3, which is engaged by a worm Z on a drivingshaft L4. Said driving-shaft L4 will be driven or rotated by any suitable motor or driving connection. At the forward end of the grate is located a fuel-hopper M, which extends over the forward horizontal top portion of the traveling belt, as common in similar devices. At the rear or inner part of the hopper is a sliding gate N, which serves to control the feed-opening of the furnace and to regulate the amount of fuel delivered to the surface of the traveling grate from the hopper. The gate N is shown as made, in the usual manner, of a metal frame with a fire-brick lining IOO IIO

cargos at its inner side. Provision is made for moving'said gate, consisting of a shaft O, which is mounted in the side walls of the hopper M and is provided with chain belts O, over which are trained supporting-chains P P, by which the gate N is moved or actuated. The chains P depend from the wheels O at the outer side thereof, and attached to said chains is a counterbalance-weight P', which slides in vertical guides on the side walls of the hopper. Said counterbalance weight conveniently extends across the hopper, but located in the upper part thereof, so as not to interfere with the feeding of the fuel to the grate.

.The front wall M of the hopperis rearwardly and inwardly inclined,and its lower edge rests above the horizontal top surface of the grate. Said inclined wall M' is pivoted at its forward upper edge to the sides of the hopper, and its lower or front edge is made adjustable with respect to the top surface of the chain grate. The device employed for controlling the said front wall of the hopper consists, as herein shown, of a rock-shaft Q, which is mounted in bearings q on the side walls of the hopper and is provided between its ends with curved cam-arms q' q, which bear against the lower or under surface of the movable wall of the hopper. The said rock-shaft may be turned to elevate or depress the said wall M', the device for rotating the shaft herein shown consisting of a hand-lever Q and a pawl q2, which engages a ratchet-wheel on the said shaft.

The supporting-wheels e of the grate-car riage are arranged to rest and run upon tracks A2 A2, which are located in the bottom of the furnace, near the side walls A A and at either side of the ash-pit A3, which is formed in the bottom of the furnace between said side walls. In their parts above the level of the grate the side walls A are extended inwardly to points adjacent to the side edges of the traveling grate, as clearly seen in Fig. 3, the projecting parts of the wall being conveniently supported by means of metal bearing-plates A, which are secured in the side walls and overhang a space or recess into which project the longitudinal frame -pieces of the grate carriage and parts carried thereby, as clearly seen in Fig. 3.

We claim as our inventionl. An endless traveling grate consisting of link-bars each provided with two bearing-apertures which open at one edge of the bar and a plurality of pivot-rods which serve to pivotally connect the said bars and are attened to permit their insertion into said bearing-apertures and means for holding the said pivotrods from rotation when in position to prevent their disengagement f rom said bearingapertures.

2. An endless traveling grate consisting of link-bars provided each with two bearing-apertures which open through the margin of the link-bar, a plurality of pivot-rods which are flattened so as to permit their entrance into said bearing-apertures and links which have non-rotative engagement with said pivot-bars for the purpose of holding the same in interlocked relation to the link-bars.

3. An endless traveling grate consisting of link-bars provided each with two bearing-apertures which open through the margin of the link-bar, a plurality of flattened pivot-rods adapted to enter said bearing-apertures and links having slots to receive the pivot-bars for holding the same from turning.

4. An endless traveling grate consisting of fiat, vertically-arranged link-bars each having two bearingapertu res which open through the adjacent margin of the bar and which are surrounded by flanges adapted for contact with similar flanges on adjacent bars, a plurality of pivot-rods which are attened to eni ter said bearing apertures and means for holding said pivot-rods from disengagement from the said link-bars.

5. The combination with two su pporting shafts provided each with a plurality of sprocket-wheels, of an endless traveling grate consisting of link-bars provided each with two bearing-apertures which open at the margin thereof and a pluralityof pivot-rods which are flattened to enter said bearingvapertures, the said sprocket-wheels being adapted to enter between adjacent link-bars which are engaged by the sprocket-wheel, being provided on their adjacent faces with hubs or flanges which meet each other and form bearing-sur faces for the teeth of said sprocket-wheels.

6. An endless traveling grate comprising sprocket-wheels,linkbars provided each with two bearing-apertures which open through the margin of the same, a plurality of pivotrods which are [iattened to enter the said bearing-apertures and bearing-sleeves which are adapted to fit and turn within said bearingapertures and are slotted to receive the said pivot-bars.

7. The combination with two supportingshafts provided each with a plurality of sprocket-wheels, of an endless traveling grate comprising main and driving link-bars provided each with two bearing-apertures which open at the margin thereof, said driving linkbars being adapted for engagement with the sprocket-wheels, a plurality of pivot-rods which are fiattened to enter said bearing-apertures and bearing-sleeves which are adapted to iit and turn within the bearing-apertures of the driving link-bars and are slotted to pass over the pivot-bars.

8. The combination with two supportingshafts provided each with a plurality of sprocket-wheels, of an endless traveling grate comprising main and driving link-bars provided each with two bearing-apertures which open at themargin thereof, said driving link` bars being adapted for engagement with the sprocket-wheels, a plurality of pivot-rods which are attened to enter said bearing-apertures and bearing-sleeves which are adapted to fit and turn within the bearing-apertures IOO IIO

of the driving link-bars and are slotted to pass over the pivot-bars, said sprocket-wheels being adapted to enter between adjacentdriving-bars which latter are provided on their adjacent faces with hubs or flanges which meet each other and form bearing-surfaces for the teeth of the sprocket-wheels.

9. The combination with two supportingshafts provided each with a plurality of sprocket-wheels, of an endless traveling grate comprising main and driving link-bars provided each with two bearing-apertures which open at the margin thereof and a plurality of pivot-rods which are flattened to enter said bearing-apertures, said driving link-bars being provided on their adjacent faces with hubs or flanges which meet each other to form bearing-surfaces for the teeth of the sprocketwheels, and with bearing-apertures largerin diameter than the width of the pivot-bars and bearing-sleeves located within said bearingapertures of the driving link-bars, said sleeves being slotted to receive the pivot-bars.

10. The combination with two supporting- Cil shafts provided with sprocket-Wheels and an endless traveling grate supported on said sprocket-wheels, of a supporting-frame consisting of two longitudinal side pieces each consisting of a wrought-metal beam or girder provided with laterally-projecting flanges at its top and bottom edges and of uniform crosssection throughout its entire length,`and two end castings which are so shaped as to fit against the side faces of the beams in overlapped relation, and are attached to the ends of said side pieces by bolts which pass through7 the overlapping parts of said beams, and end castings, said side pieces being provided with bearings for said shafts.

In testimony thai We claim the foregoing as our invention we affix our signatures, in pres- 

